Attached sensor activation of additionally-streamed physiological parameters from non-contact monitoring systems and associated devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates to the field of medical monitoring. Patient monitoring systems and associated devices, methods, and computer readable media are described. In some embodiments, a patient monitoring system includes one or more sensors configured to capture first data related to a patient and a monitoring device configured to receive the first data. In these and other embodiments, the patient monitoring system can include an image capture device configured to capture second data related to the patient. In these and still other embodiments, the one or more sensors can be configured to instruct the patient monitoring system to display the second data.

FIELD

The present technology is generally related to non-contact monitoringsystems for patients, used in conjunction with attached patient sensors.

BACKGROUND

Many conventional medical monitors require attachment of a sensor to apatient in order to detect physiologic signals from the patient and totransmit detected signals through a cable to the monitor. These monitorsprocess the received signals and determine vital signs such as thepatient's pulse rate, respiration rate, and arterial oxygen saturation.For example, a pulse oximeter is a finger sensor that can include twolight emitters and a photodetector. The sensor emits light into thepatient's finger and transmits the detected light signal to a monitor.The monitor includes a processor that processes the signal, determinesvital signs (e.g., pulse rate, respiration rate, arterial oxygensaturation), and displays the vital signs on a display.

Other monitoring systems include other types of monitors and sensors,such as electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors, blood pressure cuffs,temperature probes, air flow measurement devices (e.g., spirometer), andothers. Some wireless, wearable sensors have been developed, such aswireless EEG patches and wireless pulse oximetry sensors.

Video-based monitoring is a field of patient monitoring that uses one ormore remote video cameras to detect physical attributes of the patient.This type of monitoring can also be called “non-contact” monitoring inreference to the remote video sensor(s), which does/do not contact thepatient. The remainder of this disclosure offers solutions andimprovements in this field.

SUMMARY

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a patientmonitoring system including a non-contact monitoring component, used inconjunction with one or more attached patient sensors, with thesensor(s) activating additionally streamed physiological parameters fromthe non-contact monitoring system.

In one aspect, a first sensor in contact with a patient provides firstdata to determine one or more patient parameters. A non-contact videomonitoring system including an image capture device is programmed tocapture second data related to the patient. A monitoring device isconfigured to receive and display said first data; and either said firstsensor or an associated first sensor device is configured to provideinstructions to the monitoring device to display said second data.

In another aspect, an additional connecting element is associated withthe first sensor, the additional connecting element configured toreceive the first data from the one or more sensors and to transmit thefirst data to the monitoring device.

In another aspect, the first sensor or associated first sensor device isconfigured to provide instruction as an encrypted key.

In another aspect, the non-contact video monitoring system is programmedto define one or more regions of interest (ROI's) on a patient, capturethe second data related to the patient, wherein the second data includestwo or more images of the ROI's, and to measure changes in depths of theROI's across the two or more images of the ROI's.

In another aspect, the image capture device includes a depth sensingcamera, an RGB camera, and/or an infrared camera.

In another aspect, instructions to the monitoring device are configuredto: allow the monitoring device to include the second data directly ontoa current display screen; allow the monitoring device to reconfigure acurrent screen to display the second data; and/or allow for separatepages to be accessible on the monitoring device for display of thesecond data.

In other aspects, the first and second data are combined at a monitoringdevice or are combined prior to receipt at a monitoring device.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosurewill be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustratingclearly the principles of the present disclosure. The drawings shouldnot be taken to limit the disclosure to the specific embodimentsdepicted, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a patient monitoring system configuredwith both attached and non-contact monitoring components, in accordancewith various embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a patient monitoring system having a probewith an additional connecting element, configured in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of patient monitoring systems configured inaccordance with various embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a patient monitoring systemhaving a computing device, a server, and one or more image capturedevices, and configured in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent technology;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a patient monitoring method forinstructing a monitoring device to display attached sensor and NCM data;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a patient monitoring system combiningfirst and second data streams at a monitoring device, configured inaccordance with various embodiments of the present technology; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a patient monitoring system combiningfirst and second data streams prior to a monitoring device, configuredin accordance with various embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes patient monitoring devices, systems,and associated methods for detecting and/or monitoring one or morepatient parameters, such as tidal volume, respiratory rate, minutevolume, patient movement, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate,arterial oxygen saturation, and/or others. As described in greaterdetail below, devices, systems, and/or methods configured in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology are configured to capture oneor more images (e.g., a video sequence) of a patient or a portion of apatient (e.g., a patient's torso) within a field of view of anon-contact detector (e.g., an image capture device). The devices,systems, and/or methods can measure changes in depths of regions (e.g.,one or more pixels or groups of pixels) in the captured images overtime. Based, at least in part, on these measurements, the devices,systems, and/or methods can determine various respiratory parameters ofa patient, including tidal volume, minute volume, and respiratory rate,among others. In these and other embodiments, the device, systems,and/or methods can analyze the respiratory parameters and can triggeralerts and/or alarms when the devices, systems, and/or methods detectone or more breathing abnormalities.

Additionally, devices, systems, and/or methods configured in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology can include one or moresensors or probes associated with (e.g., contacting) a patient that canbe configured to capture data (e.g., temperature, blood pressure, heartrate, arterial oxygen saturation, etc.) related to a patient. Thedevices, systems, and/or methods can transmit the captured data to amonitoring device, hub, mobile patient management system (MPM), or thelike. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and/or methods cananalyze the captured data to determine and/or monitor one or morepatient parameters. In these and other embodiments, the devices,systems, and/or methods can use the data captured by the one or moresensors or probes in conjunction with data captured using a non-contactdetector. In these and still other embodiments, the devices, systems,and/or methods can trigger alerts and/or alarms when the devices,systems, and/or methods detect one or more patient parameterabnormalities.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors or probes associated with(e.g., contacting) a patient can be configured to capture data relatedto a patient and can be configured to activate additionally streamedphysiological parameters from non-contact monitoring (NCM) devices. Insuch cases, one or more sensors or probes and/or one or more associatedintermediary devices (e.g., an additional connecting element (ACE)) canbe configured to communicate with and instruct a monitoring device, suchas a hub, mobile patient management system (MPM), or the like (note thata monitoring device could also be a clinician's data tablet, a centraldata collection and display system, etc.), to start receivingphysiological data from an NCM camera and/or allow such data to bedisplayed on the screen.

In exemplary embodiments such instruction by a sensor, probe orassociated device comprises a key that is transmitted to (either via awired or wireless connection) and read by the monitoring device. The keycan be configured to: allow the monitoring device to include theadditional physiological information directly onto a current displayscreen; allow the device or system to reconfigure a current screen todisplay the additional physiological information; and/or allow forseparate pages to be accessible on the device or system for display ofthe additional physiological information.

In some exemplary embodiments, sensors or probes that are configured toprovide such instruction are provided with marking, for exampledifferent color coding, packaging, labeling, etc., to distinguish fromstandard sensors or probes. In some embodiments, such sensors or probesare configured with a unique or different connector shape and/orconnector pin configuration relative to standard sensors or probes.

In some exemplary embodiments, a wireless receiver or additionalconnecting element (ACE) can collect or pass through the patient sensoror probe information (e.g., pulse oximeter information, or a combinationof different types of information from plural patient sensors or probes)as well as receive the additional (NCM) physiological information,passing all of this information on to a monitoring device. Additionally,different wireless receivers or ACE components may be configured toswitch on different physiological parameters, for example with oneconfigured only to include respiratory parameters (e.g., respiratoryrate, tidal volume, minute volume and central and obstructive apneadetection), whereas others could be configured to only include patientactivity and posture information, etc. Accordingly, one or more ACEcomponents may be configured to simultaneously provide information to amonitoring device.

In some embodiments, one or more ACE components may be configured onlyto when an appropriate/compatible probe is attached. Additionally, itshould be recognized that various additional types of sensors and probesare contemplated, including without limitation regional saturationprobes, depth of anesthesia (EEG) probes, capnography sidestream probes,etc. Further, the present disclosure contemplates other sources ofadditional physiological information (in addition to or instead of NCM),including temperature, ETCO₂, rSO₂ monitors, etc. Also as has been notedabove, in some embodiments, a wireless (for example, electromagnetic,LiFi, sonar, etc.) system can be used for one or more transmissionpaths.

In some exemplary embodiments, data streams are combined and/or switchedon prior to sending the streams to the monitoring device.

Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology aredescribed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Although many of theembodiments are described with respect to devices, systems, and methodsfor detection and/or monitoring of one or more parameters of a humanpatient, other applications and other embodiments in addition to thosedescribed herein are within the scope of the present technology. Forexample, at least some embodiments of the present technology can beuseful for detection and/or monitoring of one or more parameters ofother animals and/or in non-patients (e.g., elderly or neonatalindividuals within their homes, individuals in a search and rescue orstranded context, etc.). It should be noted that other embodiments inaddition to those disclosed herein are within the scope of the presenttechnology. Further, embodiments of the present technology can havedifferent configurations, components, and/or procedures than those shownor described herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that embodiments of the present technology can haveconfigurations, components, and/or procedures in addition to those shownor described herein and that these and other embodiments can be withoutseveral of the configurations, components, and/or procedures shown ordescribed herein without deviating from the present technology.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary monitoring system, showngenerally at 100, including a non-contact monitoring (NCM) system, showngenerally at 102 and a patient attached probe system, shown generally at104. An exemplary NCM camera 106 is illustrated in an out-of-contactposition with optional wired 108 and wireless 110 transmission paths.The patient attached probe system 104 shows an exemplary finger probe112, attached to a patient 114, and an exemplary mobile patientmonitoring (MPM) device 116, connected to the probe/sensor 112 via acable 118 and a connector 120. An optional wireless pathway to/from thedevice is shown generally at 122. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of anexemplary connected probe 112 and MPM 116, with the cable 118 andconnector 120 first connecting to an additional connecting element (ACE)202.

In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be a monitor with ascreen 134 (e.g., to display various information, such as a power on/offbutton, one or more patient parameters, one or more alerts and/oralarms, etc.). The monitoring device can be attached to, be worn, and/orotherwise be carried by a patient 114. For example, the monitoringdevice can be attached to and/or worn by the patient 114 at thepatient's upper arm, at the patient's belt, on the patient's wrist(e.g., as a watch and/or using a band), etc. In some embodiments, themonitoring device can be sewn into the patient's clothing. In these andother embodiments, the monitoring device can be a mobile device, such asa mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or moreprobes/sensors 112 include a pulse oximeter attached to a finger of thepatient. In these and other embodiments, the one or more sensors 112 caninclude other sensors in addition to or in lieu of the pulse oximeter,such as electrodes, temperature sensors, blood pressure cuffs, etc. Theone or more sensors 112 can be used to perform various tests and/or tocapture various information and data relating to the patient 114. Forexample, the one or more sensors 112 can be used to capture anelectrocardiogram (ECG) signal and/or an electroencephalogram (EEG)signal of the patient. In these and other embodiments, the one or moresensors 112 can capture the patient's arterial oxygen saturation,temperature, blood pressure, and/or other patient parameters (e.g.,systolic and diastolic pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, averagetemperature, etc.).

Information captured by the one or more sensors 112 can be stored and/orprocessed by the one or more sensors 112 and/or by the monitoringdevice. For example, the one or more sensors 112 can store capturedinformation and/or can locally process the captured information (e.g.,to determine one or more patient parameters). In these and otherembodiments, the one or more sensors 112 can transmit the raw, capturedinformation and/or the locally processed data to the monitoring device.For example, the one or more sensors 112 can include a wirelesstransmitter (not shown) to transfer the data directly to the monitoringdevice via a wired or wireless connection (not shown). In turn, themonitoring device can store and/or process the information received fromthe one or more sensors 112 (e.g., to determine one or more patientparameters). In these and other embodiments, the monitoring device cantransfer the raw, captured information and/or processed data to acentral unit (not shown), such as a central hospital station, via awired or wireless connection (not shown).

Additionally or alternatively, the one or more sensors 112 can transmitthe captured information and/or the locally processed data to a relay(not shown) (e.g., a band attached to the patient) via one or more wiredand/or wireless connections. In some embodiments, a relay can storeand/or process data received from the one or more sensors. In these andother embodiments, the relay can include a wireless transmitter that canbe used to transmit the captured information and/or the processed datato the monitoring device via a wireless connection.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a patient 114 and a video-based patientmonitoring system 300 configured in accordance with various embodimentsof the present technology. The system 300 includes a non-contactdetector 310 and a computing device 315. In some embodiments, thedetector 310 can include one or more image capture devices 314, such asone or more video cameras. The non-contact detector 310 of the system300 is placed remote from the patient 114. More specifically, the imagecapture device 314 of the non-contact detector 310 is positioned remotefrom the patient 114 in that it is spaced apart from and does notcontact the patient 114. The image capture device 314 includes adetector exposed to a field of view (FOV) 316 that encompasses at leasta portion of the patient 114.

The image capture device 314 can capture a sequence of images over time.The image capture device 314 can be a depth sensing camera, such as aKinect camera from Microsoft Corp. (Redmond, Wash.). A depth sensingcamera can detect a distance between the camera and objects within itsfield of view. Such information can be used, as disclosed herein, todetermine that a patient 114 is within the FOV 316 of the image capturedevice 314 and/or to determine one or more ROI's to monitor on thepatient 114. Once an ROI is identified, the ROI can be monitored overtime, and the changes in depths of regions (e.g., pixels) within the ROIcan represent movements of the patient 114 (e.g., associated withbreathing). As described in greater detail in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/219,360, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/779,964 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/797,519,those movements, or changes of regions within the ROI, can be used todetermine various patient parameters, such as various breathingparameters, including tidal volume, minute volume, respiratory rate,etc. Those movements, or changes of regions within the ROI, can also beused to detect various patient parameter abnormalities, as discussed ingreater detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.62/716,724 and 62/779,964. The various patient parameter abnormalitiescan include, for example, apnea, rapid breathing (tachypnea), slowbreathing, intermittent or irregular breathing, shallow breathing,obstructed and/or impaired breathing, and others. The entire disclosuresof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/219,360 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. Nos. 62/716,724, 62/779,964 and 62/797,519 areincorporated herein by reference.

In these and other embodiments, the image capture device can be an RGB(red green blue) camera or an infrared camera. An RGB camera can detectslight color changes within its field of view. Such information can beused, as disclosed herein, to determine that a patient 114 is within theFOV 316 of the image capture device 314 and/or to determine one or moreROI's to monitor on the patient 114. Once an ROI is identified, the ROIcan be monitored over time, and the changes in color of regions (e.g.,pixels) within the ROI can represent various information related to thepatient 114. As described in greater detail in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/188,969 those color changes can be used to detect opticalsignals associated with one or more medical devices, such as a pulseoximeter attached to the patient. Those color changes can also be usedto determine and/or monitor various vital signs of the patient,including pulse rate, respiration rate, and arterial oxygen saturation,as discussed in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.15/432,057, 15/432,063 and 62/797,519. Additionally, or alternatively,as discussed in greater detail in U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. Nos. 62/685,485 and 62/695,244, those color changes can also beused in a surgical setting to monitor and/or assess blood flow in theROI by detecting occlusions and/or monitoring pulsation, pulsationstrength, and/or perfusion. The entire disclosures of U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 16/188,969, 15/432,057, and 15/432,063 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/685,485 and 62/695,244 areincorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the system 300 can receive user input to identify astarting point for defining a ROI. For example, an image can bereproduced on a display 322 of the system 300 (or on the display of themonitoring device 116), allowing a user of the system 300 to select apatient 114 for monitoring (which can be helpful where multiple objectsare within the FOV 316 of the image capture device 314) and/or allowingthe user to select a point on the patient 114 from which a ROI can bedetermined (such as the point 303 on the chest of the patient 114). Inother embodiments, other methods for identifying a patient 114, foridentifying points on the patient 114, and/or for defining one or moreROI's can be used. For example, a user can select a patient 114 formonitoring and a point on a patient bed 308 (which can be helpful indefining one or more ranges of depths to be used in measurements takenby a non-contact detector).

The images detected by the image capture device 314 can be sent to thecomputing device 315 through a wired or wireless connection 320. Thecomputing device 315 can include a processor 318 (e.g., amicroprocessor), the display 322, and/or hardware memory 326 for storingsoftware and computer instructions. Sequential image frames of thepatient 114 are recorded by the image capture device 314 and sent to theprocessor 318 for analysis. The display 322 can be remote from the imagecapture device 314, such as a video screen positioned separately fromthe processor 318 and the memory 326. Other embodiments of the computingdevice 315 can have different, fewer, or additional components thanshown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the computing device 315 can be aserver. In other embodiments, the computing device 315 of FIG. 3 can beadditionally connected to a server (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4 anddiscussed in greater detail below). The captured images/video can beprocessed or analyzed at the computing device 315 and/or a server todetermine a variety of parameters (e.g., tidal volume, minute volume,respiratory rate, etc.) of a patient.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a patient monitoring system 400(e.g., the patient monitoring system 100 shown in FIG. 1 and thevideo-based patient monitoring system 300 shown in FIG. 3, having acomputing device 410, a server 425, and one or more image capturedevices 485, and configured in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present technology. In various embodiments, fewer, additional,and/or different components can be used in the system 400. The computingdevice 410 includes a processor 415 that is coupled to a memory 405. Theprocessor 415 can store and recall data and applications in the memory405, including applications that process information and sendcommands/signals according to any of the methods disclosed herein. Theprocessor 415 can also (i) display objects, applications, data, etc. onan interface/display 407 and/or (ii) receive inputs through theinterface/display 407. As shown, the processor 415 is also coupled to atransceiver 420.

The computing device 410 can communicate with other devices, such as theserver 425 and/or the image capture device(s) 485 via (e.g., wired orwireless) connections 470 and/or 480, respectively. For example, thecomputing device 410 can send to the server 425 information determinedabout a patient from images and/or other data captured by the imagecapture device(s) 485 and/or one or more other sensors or probes. Thecomputing device 410 can be located remotely from the image capturedevice(s) 485, or it can be local and close to the image capturedevice(s) 485 (e.g., in the same room). In various embodiments disclosedherein, the processor 415 of the computing device 410 can perform thesteps disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the steps can be performedon a processor 435 of the server 425. In some embodiments, the varioussteps and methods disclosed herein can be performed by both of theprocessors 415 and 435. In some embodiments, certain steps can beperformed by the processor 415 while others are performed by theprocessor 435. In some embodiments, information determined by theprocessor 415 can be sent to the server 425 for storage and/or furtherprocessing.

In some embodiments, the image capture device(s) 485 are remote sensingdevice(s), such as depth sensing video camera(s) In some embodiments,the image capture device(s) 485 can be or include some other type(s) ofdevice(s), such as proximity sensors or proximity sensor arrays, heat orinfrared sensors/cameras, sound/acoustic or radio waveemitters/detectors, or other devices that include a field of view andcan be used to monitor the location and/or characteristics of a patientor a region of interest (ROI) on the patient. Body imaging technologycan also be utilized according to the methods disclosed herein. Forexample, backscatter x-ray or millimeter wave scanning technology can beutilized to scan a patient, which can be used to define and/or monitor aROI. Advantageously, such technologies can be able to “see” throughclothing, bedding, or other materials while giving an accuraterepresentation of the patient's skin facet. This can allow for moreaccurate measurements, particularly if the patient is wearing baggyclothing or is under bedding. The image capture device(s) 485 can bedescribed as local because they are relatively close in proximity to apatient such that at least a part of a patient is within the field ofview of the image capture device(s) 485. In some embodiments, the imagecapture device(s) 485 can be adjustable to ensure that the patient iscaptured in the field of view. For example, the image capture device(s)485 can be physically movable, can have a changeable orientation (suchas by rotating or panning), and/or can be capable of changing a focus,zoom, or other characteristic to allow the image capture device(s) 485to adequately capture images of a patient and/or a ROI of the patient.In various embodiments, for example, the image capture device(s) 485 canfocus on a ROI, zoom in on the ROI, center the ROI within a field ofview by moving the image capture device(s) 485, or otherwise adjust thefield of view to allow for better and/or more accuratetracking/measurement of the ROI.

The server 425 includes a processor 435 that is coupled to a memory 430.The processor 435 can store and recall data and applications in thememory 430. The processor 435 is also coupled to a transceiver 440. Insome embodiments, the processor 435, and subsequently the server 425,can communicate with other devices, such as the computing device 410through the connection 470.

The devices shown in the illustrative embodiment can be utilized invarious ways. For example, either the connections 470 and 480 can bevaried. Either of the connections 470 and 480 can be a hard-wiredconnection. A hard-wired connection can involve connecting the devicesthrough a USB (universal serial bus) port, serial port, parallel port,or other type of wired connection that can facilitate the transfer ofdata and information between a processor of a device and a secondprocessor of a second device. In another embodiment, either of theconnections 470 and 480 can be a dock where one device can plug intoanother device. In other embodiments, either of the connections 470 and480 can be a wireless connection. These connections can take the form ofany sort of wireless connection, including, but not limited to,Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity, infrared, visible light,radio frequency (RF) signals, or other wireless protocols/methods. Otherpossible modes of wireless communication can include near-fieldcommunications, such as passive radio-frequency identification (RFID)and active RFID technologies. RFID and similar near-field communicationscan allow the various devices to communicate in short range when theyare placed proximate to one another. In some embodiments, two or moredevices in the patient monitoring system 400 can together create adynamic mesh network that includes connections 470 and/or 480. In theseand other embodiments, data captured by and/or received at one device ofthe system 400 may be sent to and/or through other devices of the system400 (e.g., to reach the server(s)), hence improving wireless coverage.In these and still other embodiments, the various devices can connectthrough an internet (or other network) connection. That is, either ofthe connections 470 and 480 can represent several different computingdevices and network components that allow the various devices tocommunicate through the internet, either through a hard-wired orwireless connection. Either of the connections 470 and 480 can also be acombination of several modes of connection.

The configuration of the devices in FIG. 4 is merely one physical system400 on which the disclosed embodiments can be executed. Otherconfigurations of the devices shown can exist to practice the disclosedembodiments. Further, configurations of additional or fewer devices thanthe devices shown in FIG. 4 can exist to practice the disclosedembodiments. Additionally, the devices shown in FIG. 4 can be combinedto allow for fewer devices than shown or can be separated such that morethan the three devices exist in a system. It will be appreciated thatmany various combinations of computing devices can execute the methodsand systems disclosed herein. Examples of such computing devices caninclude other types of medical devices and sensors, infraredcameras/detectors, night vision cameras/detectors, other types ofcameras, augmented reality goggles, virtual reality goggles, mixedreality goggle, radio frequency transmitters/receivers, smart phones,personal computers, servers, laptop computers, tablets, blackberries,RFID enabled devices, smart watch or wearables, or any combinations ofsuch devices.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a patient monitoring routine 500for determining and monitoring one or more patient parameters inaccordance with various embodiments of the present technology. All or asubset of the steps of the routine 500 can be executed by variouscomponents or devices of one or more patient monitoring systems (e.g.,the wearable and/or video-based patient monitoring systems describedabove) and/or users of the system(s) (e.g., a caregiver, a clinician, apatient, etc.).

The routine 500 can begin at block 502 by sensing a data via a patientattached probe (e.g., 112 in FIG. 1). At block 504, the routine 500 cancapture first patient data from a sensor in contact with the patient. Insome embodiments, the routine 500 can capture patient data using one ormore sensors or probes associated with (e.g., contacting) the patient.For example, the routine 500 can use one or more sensors or probes tocapture an ECG signal, an EEG signal, a temperature signal, a heart ratesignal, a respiratory rate signal, an average temperature signal, and/orone or more other physiological signals relating to the patient. Inthese and other embodiments, the routine 500 can capture patient datausing one or more image capture devices. For example, the routine 500can use an image capture device to detect a location of the patient,movement of the patient, whether the patient is awake or sleeping,and/or other data relating to the patient.

At block 506, the patient attached sensor or associated device cantransmit instructions (e.g., a key) to the monitoring device to instructthe monitoring device to display not just the first patient data fromthe attached sensor/probe, but also second patient data from thenon-contact monitoring (NCM) system. At block 508, the monitoring devicereceives and reads the key (which may be encrypted) from the patientattached sensor or associated device. As has been discussed above, theinstruction can prompt the monitoring device to start receiving datafrom the NCM system. Such instructions can also activate the NCM system,as well as: allow the monitoring device to include the additionalphysiological information directly onto a current display screen; allowthe device or system to reconfigure a current screen to display theadditional physiological information; and/or allow for separate pages tobe accessible on the device or system for display of the additionalphysiological information.

At block 510, the routine 500 can sense/capture second patient data fromthe video system. For example, the routine 510 can recognize a patientwithin a field of view (FOV) of one or more image capture devices and/ordefine one or more regions of interest (ROI's) on the patient. In someembodiments, the routine 510 can recognize the patient by identifyingthe patient using facial recognition hardware and/or software of theimage capture device(s). In these embodiments, the routine 510 candisplay the name of the patient on a display screen once the routine 510has identified the patient.

At block 512, the monitoring device (e.g., a MPM device, clinician'stablet, etc.) displays data from both the attached sensor as well assecond patient data from the non-contact monitoring system.

Although the steps of the routine 500 are discussed and illustrated in aparticular order, the routine 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 is not solimited. In other embodiments, the routine 500 can be performed in adifferent order. In these and other embodiments, any of the steps of theroutine 500 can be performed before, during, and/or after any of theother steps of the routine 500. A person of ordinary skill in therelevant art will readily recognize that the illustrated method can bealtered and still remain within these and other embodiments of thepresent technology.

Referring to FIG. 6, optional combination of data streams on amonitoring device, prior to display on a monitoring device screen isillustrated generally at 600. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of amobile patient monitoring device 116, a probe 112, a wired connectorcable 118, a connector 120, a wireless transmission path 122 and awireless dongle 602. Data combination (shown in the flow portion of thediagram at 604) may occur prior to display on the screen of the MPM 116.

Referring still to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, data streams areswitched on and/or combined before display (or before sending to) amonitoring device. FIG. 6 illustrates combination of streams on themonitoring device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a system (shown generally at700), including a monitoring device 116, in combination with a wirelessreceiving unit 702, with associated wireless transmission path 122,receiving NCM data 704. A physically attached probe, e.g., a pulseoximeter, 112 (though the present disclosure contemplates wirelesscommunication of this data as well) communicates with the wirelessreceiving unit 702 to transmit pulse oximeter data 706 via a cable 118.FIG. 7 shows a system configured to send a combined stream of digitalinformation to the monitoring device. The wireless receiving unit 702combines the first (in this case pulse oximeter data) data with thesecond, NCM data and sends a revised data stream to the monitoringdevice. In some exemplary embodiments, the revised data stream isformatted, such that existing hardware can use the information withoutadditional hardware or software modifications, while still being able toextract information such as respiration rate, for example, accuratelyand quickly.

In exemplary embodiments, the wireless receiving unit 702 only sends NCMdata if the probe 112 is connected to it, and/or if the probe providesthe correct key instructing the wireless receiving unit to use NCM data.Further, in some embodiments, the wireless receiving unit 702 can beconfigured to only send a subset of the wireless (e.g., NCM data)streamed to it. For example, the wireless receiving unit could beconfigured only to send out respiratory rate, combined with pulseoximeter parameters. In other embodiments, it could only stream outapnea detection flags with pulse oximetry parameters, only stream outpatient posture information, etc. Accordingly, some embodiments providecustomized or customizable wireless receiving units according todifferent possible desired parameters handled by the wireless receivingunits.

In some embodiments, the data streams referred to above may includenumerical values of a physiological parameter (e.g., heart rate,respiratory rate), a flag indicating a state (e.g., an apnea flag, asensor-off flag, etc.), a physiological waveform (e.g., PPG, ECG, EEG,CO₂), a video stream (e.g. from an RGB or depth camera), etc.

The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise formdisclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, thetechnology are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thetechnology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, while steps are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments can perform steps in a different order. Furthermore, thevarious embodiments described herein can also be combined to providefurther embodiments.

The systems and methods described herein can be provided in the form oftangible and non-transitory machine-readable medium or media (such as ahard disk drive, hardware memory, etc.) having instructions recordedthereon for execution by a processor or computer. The set ofinstructions can include various commands that instruct the computer orprocessor to perform specific operations such as the methods andprocesses of the various embodiments described here. The set ofinstructions can be in the form of a software program or application.The computer storage media can include volatile and non-volatile media,and removable and non-removable media, for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. The computer storage media can include, but are not limitedto, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state memorytechnology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic diskstorage, or any other hardware medium which can be used to store desiredinformation and that can be accessed by components of the system.Components of the system can communicate with each other via wired orwireless communication. The components can be separate from each other,or various combinations of components can be integrated together into amonitor or processor or contained within a workstation with standardcomputer hardware (for example, processors, circuitry, logic circuits,memory, and the like). The system can include processing devices such asmicroprocessors, microcontrollers, integrated circuits, control units,storage media, and other hardware.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments of the technology. To the extent any materials incorporatedherein by reference conflict with the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure controls. Where the context permits, singular or plural termscan also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover,unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single itemexclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or moreitems, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted asincluding (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in thelist, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Where the contextpermits, singular or plural terms can also include the plural orsingular term, respectively. Additionally, the terms “comprising,”“including,” “having” and “with” are used throughout to mean includingat least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the samefeature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded.

From the foregoing, it will also be appreciated that variousmodifications can be made without deviating from the technology. Forexample, various components of the technology can be further dividedinto subcomponents, or various components and functions of thetechnology can be combined and/or integrated. Furthermore, althoughadvantages associated with certain embodiments of the technology havebeen described in the context of those embodiments, other embodimentscan also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments neednecessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of thetechnology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology canencompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient monitoring system, comprising: a firstsensor in contact with a patient, the first sensor providing firstphysiological data related to the patient to determine one or morepatient parameters; a non-contact video monitoring system programmed tocapture second physiological data related to the patient, wherein thevideo monitoring system includes a camera; a monitoring device; and awireless receiver configured to activate the non-contact videomonitoring system and combine the first and second physiological dataand pass the combined data to the monitoring device; wherein themonitoring device is configured to receive the combined data and displaysaid first physiological data and the second physiological data, whereinthe wireless receiver instructs said monitoring device to display saidsecond physiological data.
 2. The patient monitoring system of claim 1,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to activate the non-contactvideo monitoring system based upon the first physiological data and toinstruct the monitoring device to display the second physiological data.3. The patient monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the wirelessreceiver uses the non-contact video monitoring data based uponinstructions from an encrypted key.
 4. The patient monitoring system ofclaim 1, wherein the non-contact video monitoring system is programmedto: define one or more regions of interest (ROI's) on a patient; capturethe second physiological data related to the patient, wherein the secondphysiological data includes two or more images of the ROI's; and measurechanges in depths of the ROI's across the two or more images of theROI's.
 5. The patient monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the cameraincludes a depth sensing camera, an RGB camera, and/or an infraredcamera.
 6. The patient monitoring system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions are configured to: allow the monitoring device to includethe second physiological data directly onto a current display screen;allow the monitoring device to reconfigure a current screen to displaythe second physiological data; and/or allow for separate pages to beaccessible on the monitoring device for display of the secondphysiological data.
 7. The patient monitoring system of claim 1, whereinonly predetermined subsets of data from one or both of first and secondphysiological data are displayed at said monitoring device.
 8. A methodfor patient monitoring comprising: providing a first sensor in contactwith a patient, the first sensor providing first physiological data todetermine one or more patient parameters; providing a non-contact videomonitoring system programmed to capture second physiological datarelated to the patient, wherein the video monitoring system includes acamera; providing a wireless receiver configured to activate thenon-contact video monitoring system and combine the first and secondphysiological data and pass the combined data to a monitoring device;and passing the combined data to a the monitoring device and displayingthe first and second physiological data on the monitoring device.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the wireless receiver is configured toactivate the non-contact video monitoring system based upon the firstphysiological data and to instruct the monitoring device to display thesecond physiological data.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein thewireless receiver uses the non-contact video monitoring data based uponinstructions from an encrypted key.
 11. The method of claim 8, whereinthe non-contact video monitoring system is programmed to: define one ormore regions of interest (ROI's) on a patient; capture the secondphysiological data related to the patient, wherein the secondphysiological data includes two or more images of the ROI's; and measurechanges in depths of the ROI's across the two or more images of theROI's.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the camera includes a depthsensing camera, an RGB camera, and/or an infrared camera.
 13. The methodof claim 8, wherein instructions provided to the monitoring device areconfigured to: allow the monitoring device to include the secondphysiological data directly onto a current display screen; allow themonitoring device to reconfigure a current screen to display the secondphysiological data; and/or allow for separate pages to be accessible onthe monitoring device for display of the second physiological data. 14.The method of claim 8, wherein only predetermined subsets of data fromone or both of first and second physiological data are displayed at saidmonitoring device.
 15. The patient monitoring system of claim 1, whereinthe second physiological data is transmitted wirelessly to the wirelessreceiver; and wherein the wireless receiver is configured to only send asubset of second physiological data, along with first physiological datato the monitoring device.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondphysiological data is transmitted wirelessly to the wireless receiver;and wherein the wireless receiver is configured to only send a subset ofsecond physiological data, along with first physiological data to themonitoring device.